In 2025, the total number of visitors to Macao exceeded 40 million, with 235 million border crossings throughout the year. On weekends and holidays, the increase in tourist flow notably exacerbated difficulties in obtaining transportation, affecting not only residents but also the experience of visitors. The recent influx following the New Year celebrations once again highlighted the limitation of the local transport network’s capacity.
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works has already emphasized that resolving Macao’s mobility issues cannot depend solely on buses; it is essential to combine this mode of transport with the Light Rail. As a mass transportation system, the Light Rail must enhance its capacity – for example, by increasing the number of carriages and optimizing payment methods – to adequately respond to the high volume of passengers during peak hours.
However, New Year’s Eve highlighted that there are still constraints regarding the capacity of the Light Rail: currently, even with reduced intervals, the service only allows up to four carriages per train (approximately 400 passengers), which during large events makes it difficult to quickly evacuate crowds, leading to long queues. Authorities should study the feasibility of increasing this capacity, especially during peak periods.
Given the sustained growth in tourism, it is recommended that the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region significantly expand the road network, building bridges, peripheral expressways, elevated exclusive ‘bus’ corridors, and suspended pedestrian crossings at critical points to improve traffic flow. Simultaneously, with the renegotiation of bus contracts in 2026, the expansion of the Light Rail Transit system, and the licensing of taxis, it is essential to comprehensively review traffic planning, creating a modern system that matches the status of “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure,” but also sensitive to the needs of residents.
In addition, an increase of 800 more taxis is planned, raising the total fleet to over 2,000 vehicles. The government will also launch a public consultation on the revision of the Taxi Regulations, with the aim of officially facilitating taxi services through apps. Although there already exist so-called “special taxis” with the option to book via ‘app’, they are insufficient and not very effective. Regulating the “taxi by app” will help resolve the difficulties faced by residents and tourists in obtaining transportation, while also reducing unnecessary circulation of empty taxis on the streets. It is recommended that, when reviewing the law, the government clarify the coordination between traditional taxis, special taxis, and so-called app-based services, and develop strategies to respond to the international market.
